HAEMATOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WEANER RABBITS FED DIETS CONTAINING GRADED LEVELS OF AFRICAN WILD GRAPE (LANNEA MICROCARPA) LEAF MEAL

This experiment was conducted to ascertain the haematological characteristics of weaner rabbits fed diets containing African wild grape (Lannea microcarpa) leaf meal at different level of inclusion. Forty (40) mongrel weaner rabbits, of about six (6) weeks of age weighing 750g±50 were randomly allotted to five (5) dietary treatments, replicated four (4) times with two (2) rabbits per replicates in a completely randomized design (CRD). Five (5) diets of 16% crude protein consisting of Lannea microcarpa leaf meal at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% were formulated as treatment 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. The Results revealed no significant difference (P>0.05) in terms of Packed Cell Volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), and Mean Capsular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC). However, significant difference (P<0.05) was observed in the values of White Blood Cells (WBC), Mean Capsular Volume (MCV) and Red Blood Cells (RBC) and Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH). The haematology parameters analysed were all within the normal range for healthy rabbit. It is therefore concluded that African wild grape (Lannea microcarpa) leaf meal has no adverse effect on haematological parameters of weaner rabbit and farmers can supplement up 20% in rabbit diets.